Predicting teenage girls' sexual activity and contraception use: An application of Matching Law

Abstract

The high incidence of teenage sexual activity and poor contraceptive practices is a significant social problem. Previous attempts to explicate the variables associated with high-risk sexual behavior in teens have uncovered a multitude of associated factors. However, this research has not led to a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon, nor has it led to the development of effective interventions to remediate this problem. The application of Herrnstein's Matching Law was proposed as an effective means of explaining, in simple terms, the reasons that some youths demonstrate a greater predilection for high-risk sexual behavior. Ethnically diverse high school students from low and middle socioeconomic classes were sampled. Results of this study indicated that Matching Law could be used to predict high-risk sexual behavior with a good deal of accuracy across different age, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.